Asiatic Acid Ameliorates Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac and Hepato-Renal Toxicities with Nrf2 Transcriptional Factor Activation in Rats.

Asiatic acid (AA), a pentacyclic triterpenoid, is a key phytoconstituent of Centella asiatica. AA is a patented as a cytotoxic substance, and it exerts cytotoxicity against Hep3B, Hela and MCF-7 cell lines. However, pentacyclic triterpenoids also modulate the expression and transcriptional activities of Nrf2 and exert cytoprotective effects.

In silico Evidence for Binding of Pentacyclic Triterpenoids to Keap1-Nrf2 Protein-Protein Binding Site.

Aim And Objective: Kelch like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) and Nuclear factor-E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) binding is a key step in the ubiquitination and degradation of Nrf2. The compounds inhibiting this binding exert antioxidant actions. Naturally occurring pentacyclic triterpenoids (PTs) and their synthetic derivatives are projected as activators of Nrf2 signalling.

Oleanolic acid prevents progression of streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy and protects renal microstructures in Sprague Dawley rats.

Objective: To study the effect of oleanolic acid (OA) on streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in Sprague Dawley rats.

Materials And Methods: Four weeks after intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg), the rats with proteinuria were grouped as: Control (non-diabetic, treated orally with vehicle), diabetic control (treated orally with vehicle) and three diabetic groups receiving 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg/day oral doses of OA. At the end of 8 weeks, urine and serum samples from the rats were processed for determination of creatinine, BUN and GFR.